Advantages & Disadvantages of Using Wikis and Blogs for Education

---

Advantages of Using Wikis and Blogs for Education

Develops Collaborative Learning Skills

Reading

Writing

Reflection

Builds Key Business Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Leadership Opportunities

Role Assignment

Establishing Participation Guidelines

Working with Deadlines

Critical Observation

Proofreading

Review

Negotiation

Identifying procrastination

Promotes Different Learning Environment

Gives Students a Forum to Express their Views and Ideas

Experience with Emerging Technology

New Form of Class Participation

Incentive to Explore Topics to Create Interest

Work in Real-time Environment

Demonstration of Work

Increased Lifelong Learning and Study Skills

Provides Alternative Method for Asking for Assistance

Links for Further Self-Directed Exploration

Promotes Peer-to-Peer Instruction

Facilitates Document Collaboration

Increased Availability to Reviews, Instructions, Vocabulary Lists, Reminders

Progress and Specific Contribution is Easily Tracked

---

Disadvantages of Using Wikis and Blogs for Education

General

Computing Resources Must be Available

Information on the Internet Becomes a Public Record, even if it is Deleted

Vandalism or Sabotage

Student

Apprehensions

Comfort with Technology

Resentment of Peers Not Contributing

Educator

Possible Inappropriate Use for Harassment, Against School Guidelines

Harder to Grade and Assess than Other Projects

Feedback is Public

Plagiarism